Users Do More Than Surf

Internet applications are gaining popularity as research from Nielsen//NetRatings finds that more than 72 percent of the total online audience does more than just surf the Net.

“With the proliferation of faster access speeds and affordable high-performance PCs, Web users have found it very easy to download and install a wide range of Internet applications,” said Carolyn Clark, senior Internet analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings.

Instant messaging grabs three of the top 10 spots in November and Jupiter Research (a unit of this site’s corporate parent) vouches for the communication app’s popularity with findings that on average more than half of the online population engages in the activity. More than two-third (69 percent) of Internet users aged 13-17; 59 percent of those 18-34; 49 percent of those 35-54; and 45 percent of adults over age 55 cited instant messaging as a favorite online activity.

Jupiter also found that 42 percent of teens (13-17 years old) downloaded music; 40 percent of teens and 29 percent of young adults (18-34 years old) listened to music online; and 23 percent of teens traded music via a file-sharing application, such as KaZaA. Teens were also the group most likely to watch a video or movie clip online (29 percent), and watch a music video online (26 percent).